Graduation Counseling and Planning Tips for High School Students

Grad Counselling Fall 2017

What are we doing today? Second First PATHWAY PLANNING GRAD STATUS

Grad Status Review OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) = 30 credits (18 compulsory, 12 elective), 40 hours of community involvement, passed the OSSLT (literacy test) Do you need any substitution credits (ex. French?) or equivalency credits? Are your summer/night/private school credits correct? Have you met your SHSM requirements?

Credit Counselling Summary (CCS) Review all components and make note of errors and concerns.

CCS - To Do Take your CCS home to review and complete the following: 1. Highlight your Community Involvement hours; write in your plan to complete them if less than 40 hours. Note: We will no longer but putting in more than 40 hours. If you have more, please keep them on file for future uses (ex. supplementary applications or awards) 2. Highlight your OSSLT results; write in how you plan to achieve this. 3. Highlight any missing compulsory credits or errors from external credits. Book an appointment with guidance asap to correct this. 4. Write your intended program(s) and schools at the bottom of the sheet.

CCS = PIN You need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to begin your application. OUAC sends the PINS to Trudeau by the end of November. Hand in your completed CCS to get your PIN. WHAT IF YOU DON T COMPLETE YOUR CCS? (Gasp! The horror!) then you get your PIN after those that did complete their CCS! (you still get yours...you just have to waaaiiiiitttttt)

SHSM STUDENT? Check out the second page of your CCS and sector specific pathway charts

SHSM To Do... 1. SHSM OVERVIEW: we hope you were or are able to attend the general sector meetings. 2. Review CCS and all 5 parts of the program - use pathway chart to determine missing components and plan. Identify any errors or anything that may be missing on your CCS. Book Guidance appointment a.s.a.p. For changes. 3. Gapps email VERY important for communication - forward your gapps to a preferred address - bit.ly/gappsforward 4. SHSM Hoodie: Only current Grade 12 students on their way to completion of their SHSM red seal (including co-op) to qualify to order.) Details soon! 5. Join the SHSM google classroom - enrollment key is s6rbnp. Check out the twitter feed: twitter@shsmpeths and facebook: PETHS Specialist High Skills Major

The Five Required Components 4 Major Courses, 2 Co-op Credits, Related Courses with Contextualised Content a bundle of eight to ten Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits; First Aid, CPR, WHMIS, and more . sector recognised certifications and training courses; Job Shadowing, Job Twinning, Work Experience experiential learning activities within the sector; reach ahead experiences in the student s post-secondary destination of choice; Dual Credits, University Visits, YRDSB Skills Competitions, Accelerated OYAP, Fast Track use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) to document development of Essential Skills and work habits. Thinking, Problem Solving, Computer Use, Numeracy

Grade 12 Graduating Students If you are graduating in June 2018, please ensure you are on your way to completing your SHSM components. Missing courses? PLEASE book an appointment with guidance immediately to make any possible changes for courses in semester 2. Missing certifications? Missing reach aheads/experiential learning? PLEASE ensure that you check your gapps account for opportunities to earn these certificates. On your student summary sheet, write down any missing certifications. Missing co-op? Please book an appointment with guidance to discuss your options - you can either DROP the SHSM program OR enroll for second semester. On your student summary sheet, write down missing co-op.

External Credits Will go on transcript automatically from our board (YRDSB): Needs to be added by the external provider and verified by you: Night school Another public school board, ex. TDSB, YRCDSB Summer school Private school report cards from private schools must be MAILED or walked in SEALED and STAMPED; they (not our Guidance department) must upload your course to OUAC; must be done by early/mid-June for grad purposes and final mark transmission. Language course

Gr. 12+- Fact or Fiction? FACT: You can earn as many credits as you like within your four years of high school. After that, credits may be earned through Continuing Education, NOT in day school. EXCEPT 1) If you have an IEP - the 34 credit threshold does not apply to you, OR, 2) Any ELL courses do not count towards the 34 credit threshold. See http://www.yrdsb.ca/Students/IPP/Pages/34-Credit-Threshold.aspx

Must check that your name is on the Grad List when posted...see Guidance ASAP if it s not You will receive information in April about tickets, gown etc; this is done through the main office Graduation Ceremony Sign up for Grad Pictures in November outside the cafe; pics start end of November. June 26, 2018 Brief assembly giving info about the ceremony in June - no worries!

What is Pathway Planning?? There are options other than university! Do what is right for YOU! Apprenticeship College Gap Year Work Our paths can change direction, seem uncertain at times or be indirect...but we all get to where we are supposed to be. Plan your pathway with insight to your skills, realism as to where you are in life right now, financial considerations, short vs long term goals and confidence in yourself to be your own person.

College Application (OCAS) - Highlights $95 application fee 5 choices, max of 3 at one school Key Dates: October - begin application (no PIN required) November - OCAS sends info to selected colleges February 1, 2018 - deadline for Equal Consideration May 1 - deadline to confirm offer of admission Must know requirements for each college - supplementary application, interviews, portfolio, audition etc.; responsible for meeting deadlines

University Application (OUAC) - Highlights $150 base application fee; $50 per choice after that Max of 3 choices at any one school; some schools will have further restrictions Key Dates: End of November - will receive PIN January 17, 2018 - deadline for Equal Consideration June 1 - deadline to confirm offer of admission; earliest date for financial submission Must know pre-requisites for each program - check school website and eInfo Must meet deadlines for supplementary applications, auditions, portfolios and online interviews; your responsibility to check with each program/school

Applying Out of Province You can authorize OUAC to send your marks to U of Victoria, Simon Fraser, UBC, U of Calgary, Concordia, McGill, Bishops, U of New Brunswick, St. Mary s and Dalhousie When applying to those schools, use your 11 digit OUAC Reference Number (the 11th digit is 0) on their applications Follow all due dates and deadlines Out of province schools could be a great option - think outside the box!

US Universities Check Guidance tab on Trudeau Pages for info Not a last minute decision - process is involved and lengthy (SAT s, PSAT s, reference letters, Common App, NCAA ) Should have already spoken to a guidance counsellor about this as we have to be involved in the process of submitting your academic records U.S. University Panel is coming Nov. 8th 1:30-3:30 pm in cafe.

Mark Transmission This is what we send and when Beginning of October - demographic information sent Early February - Semester 1 final marks Mid-April - Semester 2 mid-semester marks End of June - Semester 2 final marks Choosing your top 6 marks to send is NOT a thing! They see all marks, everything is sent. Each school and program will calculate your admission average based on their formula, including prerequisites, which they state on eInfo and their website.

Types of Offers Early Offer of Admission - sometimes you have enough courses finished and with the correct marks, that they will give you a conditional offer in an early round. This is NOT something you can apply for in Canada at this time! Conditional Offer of Admission - all offers are conditional until they see your final grades; offers will be rescinded if your marks fall below a certain threshold. This DOES happen - avoid senioritis! Alternate Offer of Admission - some programs/schools will accept you to a different program if they don t offer you admission for the one you applied to; check their information carefully, as this varies from school to school and program to program

Supplementary Applications Called different things at different schools, but have the same purpose - for them to get to know the person behind the marks Meet their deadlines Tips: Start well in advance; brainstorm to start Have a theme or consistent point of view throughout Be GENUINE, REAL, AUTHENTIC ..this is the most important thing! Sell yourself without being obnoxious and/or cliche Avoid controversial issues and be careful how topics/examples translate to paper.

Money, money, money! See the Guidance tab on Trudeau Pages for links to scholarships OSAP - can do an estimator now; when you apply on OUAC or OCAS keep in mind you will not receive any money prior to acceptance deposits being due.

Next Steps... For Grad Status - For Pathway Planning - Review and highlight CCS Research what s best for you Make appointment with your counsellor if required Have a plan with several options Visit all schools/campuses you are interested in Complete missing elements for OSSD, ex. HOURS! Know all pre-req s, admission averages and due dates Check to ensure your name is on the Grad List when posted Manage your stress! Make an appointment with your

Resources... www.ouac.on.ca www.electronicinfo.ca www.ontariocolleges.ca https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship https://osap.gov.on.ca/AidEstimatorWeb/enterapp/enter.xhtml http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/trudeau.hs/guidance/Pages/default.aspx @PETHS Guidance

Thank you for coming! Thanks so much!